Improvement in mowing-machines



EMERSON & GRAHAM.

Mowing Machine.

Patented Jany I4, 1862.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH EMERSON, JR, AND E. GRAHAM, or ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS ro RALPH EMERsON, JR.

IMPROVEMENT IN MOWlNG-MACHINES.

Specification ibrming part of Letters Patent No. 34,180, dated January 14, 1863.

To all whom, ibTH/(I/Z/ concern.-

Be it known that we, RALPH EMERSON, J r.,

i and FREEMAN GRAHAM, both of Rockford, in

the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in MowingMachines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents a view in elevation of a mowing-machine embracing our improvement as seen from the gearing or stubble side of the machine, the black lines representing the attitnde assumed by the several parts when the finger-beam rests upon the ground, and the red lines the relative position of the parts when the finger-beam is elevated to its highest point. Fig. 2 represents a similarviewof the same as seen from the divider side of the machine, with the bearing-wheel removed from the axle; and Fig. 3 represents a plan or top view of the same.

Our invention relates to that class of mowing-machines which contain the following among other features, viz: first, a gearing frame oscillating upon a fulcrum in rear of the cutting apparatus; secondly, a finger-beam rigidly secured to the front edge of the, gearing-frame, so as always to-remain in the same horizontal plane with it; thirdly, a tongue connected to the frame by a flexible joint in or near the line of the cutting apparatus; and, fourthly, an arm or bar rigidly secured to the tongue and extending backward over the frame, said bar being connected with a hand-lever turning on a fulcrum near the drivers seat to assist in the adjustment of the cutting apparatus; and our improvement consists in a novel combination of the various parts, whereby we are enabled to produce a simple, compact, and eiiicient machine, well adapted to the varying circumstances under which a mower is required to operate- 1 In the accompanying drawings, the frame A is represented as being of atrapezoidal figure, with its front and rear edges parallel, and its inner side inclined. It is wider in front than in rear, and rests mainly upon a large wheel, B, which is also the driving-wheel. A fingerbeam, D, is rigidly secured to the front edge of the frame A, and projects on one side thereof. The finger-beam in this instance is composed of two plates of metal, the upperv one of which is flat, while the under one is L'-shaped and bent up at the back to form a ledge of the depth required for the thickness of the beam. The guardfingers are inserted between the plates, and the whole securely riveted together, thus forming a light but strong beam.

The machineis drawn by means of a hinged tongue, E, attached to the shoes cl (which may form part of the finger-beam) by means of a up and down, but not laterally.

A bearing or supporting wheel, 0, is mounted upon the inner side of the main frame, and turns upon a crank-axle, c, which has its bearings in journals in or very nearly in the same axial plane as the driving-wheel B. This axle has also a pivotal movement in its bearings. A hand-lever, G, is rigidly secured upon the inner end of the crank-axle c in such manner that when the lever is in a vertical position the bent part of the axle shall be horizontal, or nearly so, as shown in the drawings. The lever extends above and near to the drivers seat H.

An arm or bar, F, is rigidly secured to the rear end of the tongue E, and projects back= ward over the frame. To the under side of this bar a bracket, f. is secured. This bracket forms an inclined plane or way, upon which a frictionroller on the hand-lever G travels to raise and lower the machine. The arm and standard are held in contact by means of a guide-plate, g, on the side of the standard or lever-handle G. I

The drivers seat H rests upon springs se cured to a frame, h, composed of two inclined beams inserted into the frame and firmly con= nected at top. The position of this seatis such as very nearly to balance the weight of the driver (when in his seat) upon the axis of the drivingwheel. A foot-board, I, is also secured upon the front bar of the frame 71, in front of the driving-wheel.

The other parts of the machine maybe constructed in any of the usual well-known ways; but as they form no part of the subject-mat ter herein claimed the details of their con struction are omitted.

The operation of the machine is as follows: \Vhen the parts assume the attitude shown in pin, d, which permits the tongueto play freely weight of the machine, while the hinge by which the tongue and frame are connected permits the machine to oscillate freely upon its wheel in order that the cutting apparatus may conform closely to the inequalities of the surface of the ground. To raise the cutting apparatus, the driver siezes the upper end of the hand-lever G and pushes it forward into the position shown by the red lines in the drawings. As the lever descends the friction-roller upon its side acts upon the under side of the bracket f, and as both the lever and arm are rigidly secured to the crank-axle and tongue, respectively, while the joint is flexible, the cutting apparatus is gradually raised until the parts assume the position shown by the red lines in the drawings. The forward move ment of the hand-lever G depresses the journal of the bearing-wheel. C, and thus causes a portion of the weight of the machine to rest upon the wheel, so that the entire weight,

- except that portion which is borne by the team,

rests upon the wheels B and C. The lever may be held in its extreme forward position by means of anotch in the lower extremity of the bracket f, or it may be held in any intermediate position desired by the simple pressure of the hand or foot of the driver. In this latqer case the parts would resume their original attitude as soon as the lever was released by the withdrawal of his foot or hand, while in the former event the lever would still be held by the notch until released by the driver. As the cutters are raised the driver s seat is carried farther back of the axis of the wheels, which movement facilitates the raising of the machine.

It will readily be perceived from this description that both the crank-axle c and the inclined way or bracket f are essential to the proper working of the machine.

We do not claim, broadly, under this patent the use of a crank-axle, nor of a flexible joint in the line of the cutting apparatus; but,

Having thus fully described the construe tion andoperation of our improved mowingmachine, what we do claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the bent axle c and hand-lever G with the arm F and bracket f, when arranged for joint operation relatively to each other and to the machine, substantially in the manner herein described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof wehave hereunto subscribed our names.

RALPH EMERSON, J R: FREEMAN GRAHAM. Witnesses:

J. G. MAULOVE, \V. A. TALCOTT. 

